In Memory: Orvin Burnside

Former head of the Department Agronomy and Plant Genetics, honored veteran, respected professor, and beloved family-man Orvin Burnside passed away on May 29, 2017. Orvin was born on June 9th, 1932 and raised on a dairy farm in Hawley, Minnesota. He grew up surrounded by his nine siblings and adoring parents. Orvin enlisted in the army during the Korean War where he served as a Army Officer, eventually achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Central Intelligence Corps. He taught at UNL as a professor of weed science for many years before returning to his home state of Minnesota. There he accepted the position of Department Head of Agronomy & Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Orvin Burnside is remembered for his extensive publications, over 400, as well as his numerous bulletins and patents for the University. During his life, he received many awards and acknowledgments for his academic works. He was President of the Weed Science Society of America and the North Central Weed Science Society. Orvin leaves behind his wife, Clarice, and five children.